ASSASSINS BROUGHT TO JUSTICE

THE HARTFORD COURANT

C Who was Orlando Letelier? How many Americans remember this Chilean diplomat who was murdered 13 years ago in Washington? One of his killers was finally sentenced last week after having been a fugitive since the crime. The other assassin was sentenced last year. But two others indicted for the crime remain free in Chile.

Mr. Letelier was Chile's ambassador under the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende Gossens. When Gen. Augusto Pinochet, with the help of the CIA, overthrew Mr. Allende in 1973, Mr. Letelier became a vocal expatriate, lobbying for sanctions against Mr. Pinochet's brutal government. The two Cuban exiles who carried out the assassination of Mr. Letelier were acting for that government.

While it is satisfying that Mr. Letelier's assassins have been brought to justice, the case should also serve as a reminder of the lethal price that innocent people have paid for U.S. covert support of Latin American dictators. Although Mr. Pinochet was voted out of office last year, he remains head of the country's armed forces and still wields enough power to be able to protect those in Chile who are responsible for Mr. Letelier's assassination, as well as countless atrocities committed against the Chilean people under his regime.

As the Senate Intelligence Committee weighs the nomination of Robert M. Gates to head the CIA, it might consider the fate of Mr. Letelier. Mr. Gates is a product of the organization that helped put the Pinochet junta in power. Newly elected President Patricio Aylwin is trying to create a new Chile. We need a reformed CIA as well.